Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup: My Weeknight Lifesaver (Print Version)

Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup Recipes for busy nights! This homestyle, set-it-and-forget-it soup is packed with flavor and pure comfort.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 Hours 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free (if using GF pasta/rice, confirm broth)

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
05 - 4 cloves garlic, minced

→ Veggies & Herbs

06 - 3 large carrots, sliced
07 - 3 celery stalks, sliced
08 - 1 tsp dried thyme
09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1 bay leaf

→ Finishing Touches

11 - 1 cup small pasta (orzo, ditalini, or elbow macaroni)
12 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
13 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
14 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Optional Extras

16 - Fresh lemon wedges for serving
17 - A splash of heavy cream or Greek yogurt for richness
18 - Grated Parmesan cheese for topping

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your chopping done. Mince that garlic, dice the onion, slice the carrots and celery. It feels like a lot of work upfront, I know, but trust me, it's worth it for this Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup. While you're at it, pat your chicken breasts dry. This helps them get a nice sear, which means more flavor. I always put on a podcast for this part; makes the time fly by. Don't fret if your cuts aren't perfectly uniform, it's homemade, not a Michelin star restaurant!
02 - Heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it's shimmering, add your chicken breasts and sear them for 2-3 minutes per side, just until they're lightly golden. They won't be cooked through, and that's totally fine! This step is crucial for developing flavor, creating those lovely browned bits. Honestly, I skipped this once, thinking, "It's a crockpot, who cares?" Big mistake. The soup was good, but it lacked that rich depth. Learn from my oops!
03 - Transfer the seared chicken to your crockpot. Now, add the diced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and celery around the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth, making sure everything is submerged. Toss in the dried thyme, oregano, and that essential bay leaf. Give it a gentle stir. The smell already starts to hint at the goodness to come, even before it cooks. This is where the magic begins for our Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup.
04 - Cover your crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours. The goal is for the chicken to be cooked through and ridiculously tender, practically falling apart. I usually opt for the low and slow method because it gives the flavors more time to meld. I've definitely started this in the morning and forgotten about it until the afternoon, only to be pleasantly surprised by the amazing aroma greeting me. That's the beauty of this Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup!
05 - Once the cooking time is up and the chicken is tender, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot. Using two forks, shred the chicken right on a cutting board. It should be super easy to pull apart. Discard the bay leaf at this point – we don't want anyone accidentally chomping on that! Then, return the shredded chicken back to the crockpot. It's looking so good already, I sometimes sneak a little taste of the broth here.
06 - Stir in your small pasta (like orzo or ditalini) into the crockpot. Continue cooking on high for another 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Keep an eye on it, because nobody wants mushy pasta! This is the point where the soup really starts to thicken up and feel hearty. It transforms from a broth with veggies to a truly satisfying Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup. The kitchen smells incredible!
07 - Right before serving, stir in the fresh parsley and dill. This adds a burst of freshness and color that really brightens the whole dish. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. I always add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the very end. It just wakes up all the flavors, making this Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup sing! Seriously, don't skip the lemon.

# Notes:

01 - Searing the chicken first, even for a crockpot, adds so much depth and flavor. Trust me, I learned this the hard way!
02 - Don't overcook the pasta! Add it in the last 15-20 minutes to keep it from getting mushy.
03 - A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the very end is a game-changer for this Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup. It brightens everything up.
04 - This soup actually tastes better the next day, so make a big batch. Stores great in airtight containers in the fridge.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker/crockpot
02 - Large skillet
03 - Cutting board
04 - Sharp knife
05 - Two forks for shredding chicken

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 350-450
Total Fat: 10-15g
Total Carbohydrate: 30-40g
Protein: 30-35g

Back